Baron Mortimer
Baron Mortimer
Baron Mortimer
1887-1959
1887-1959
Born in 1887, Baron Mortimer – Baron being his Christian name, not his status – rode on the Flat in the early years of the 20th century without a win. He enjoyed far more success over jumps with 15 winners between 1905 and 1911.
Born in 1887, Baron Mortimer – Baron being his Christian name, not his status – rode on the Flat in the early years of the 20th century without a win. He enjoyed far more success over jumps with 15 winners between 1905 and 1911.
Apprenticed to Charles Perkins, he had his first ride when unplaced on Gutter Snipe in the Border Selling Plate at Carlisle on April 23, 1903. He had the occasional mount on the Flat until 1906, but by then his career over jumps was under way.
Apprenticed to Charles Perkins, he had his first ride when unplaced on Gutter Snipe in the Border Selling Plate at Carlisle on April 23, 1903. He had the occasional mount on the Flat until 1906, but by then his career over jumps was under way.
His first ride under National Hunt rules was at Hooton Park on March 17, 1905, when his mount Walk Over, trained by Charles Perkins, finished fifth of ten runners in the Sutton Selling Hurdle. It was the seven-year-old’s first run of the year and he clearly benefitted from the outing, for the following day at the same course he beat three rivals to land the Mersey Selling Handicap Hurdle to give Baron Mortimer the first victory of his career. It was a close-run thing, for in a tight finish Walk Over just held Chaplin, ridden by leading amateur Jack Rogers, by a short head.
His first ride under National Hunt rules was at Hooton Park on March 17, 1905, when his mount Walk Over, trained by Charles Perkins, finished fifth of ten runners in the Sutton Selling Hurdle. It was the seven-year-old’s first run of the year and he clearly benefitted from the outing, for the following day at the same course he beat three rivals to land the Mersey Selling Handicap Hurdle to give Baron Mortimer the first victory of his career. It was a close-run thing, for in a tight finish Walk Over just held Chaplin, ridden by leading amateur Jack Rogers, by a short head.
Baron added one more win that year but found himself in trouble with the stewards at Wolverhampton on October 3, when, in a three-runner race for the Tettenhall Selling Handicap Hurdle, he rode the outsider, Hot Head. The four-year-old ran out but was brought back onto the track and completed the course last of three. The stewards, finding that Hot Head had taken the wrong course, wanted to know why Baron had not arrived in time to walk round. He was duly reprimanded and Hot Head’s trainer was said to have shown “gross negligence” in not arranging for the rider to arrive in time to walk the course.
Baron added one more win that year but found himself in trouble with the stewards at Wolverhampton on October 3, when, in a three-runner race for the Tettenhall Selling Handicap Hurdle, he rode the outsider, Hot Head. The four-year-old ran out but was brought back onto the track and completed the course last of three. The stewards, finding that Hot Head had taken the wrong course, wanted to know why Baron had not arrived in time to walk round. He was duly reprimanded and Hot Head’s trainer was said to have shown “gross negligence” in not arranging for the rider to arrive in time to walk the course.
Although Baron did have rides over the next two seasons, it was not until February 1908 that he rode another winner. During the following four seasons he had the occasional success and in 1909 he partnered his most prolific winner, Rolandine, in the Liverpool Hurdle, finishing ninth in the 19-runner field.
Although Baron did have rides over the next two seasons, it was not until February 1908 that he rode another winner. During the following four seasons he had the occasional success and in 1909 he partnered his most prolific winner, Rolandine, in the Liverpool Hurdle, finishing ninth in the 19-runner field.
It was Rolandine who provided him with his final victory when landing the Sutton Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on November 28, 1911, winning by eight lengths. It was on that same horse that he had what proved to be his last ride when finishing third in the Wolverhampton Handicap Hurdle at that Dunstall Park venue on January 16, 1912.
It was Rolandine who provided him with his final victory when landing the Sutton Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham on November 28, 1911, winning by eight lengths. It was on that same horse that he had what proved to be his last ride when finishing third in the Wolverhampton Handicap Hurdle at that Dunstall Park venue on January 16, 1912.
By then Baron was combining riding with training, having taken out a trainer’s licence in 1911. However, there appears to have been some irregularity concerning some of his owners’ horses.
By then Baron was combining riding with training, having taken out a trainer’s licence in 1911. However, there appears to have been some irregularity concerning some of his owners’ horses.
In March 1912 the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee inquired into the ownership of six horses in Baron’s stable (including Rolandine) and considered the conduct of him and of the horses’ various owners. They decreed that all six horses be permanently disqualified from running in any race under National Hunt rules, and that Baron Mortimer and those owners be warned off all courses under the National Hunt Committee’s jurisdiction. Similarly, the stewards warned off George Henry Mortimer (relationship to Baron unknown) regarding the aforesaid six horses and another horse, Better Half.
In March 1912 the Stewards of the National Hunt Committee inquired into the ownership of six horses in Baron’s stable (including Rolandine) and considered the conduct of him and of the horses’ various owners. They decreed that all six horses be permanently disqualified from running in any race under National Hunt rules, and that Baron Mortimer and those owners be warned off all courses under the National Hunt Committee’s jurisdiction. Similarly, the stewards warned off George Henry Mortimer (relationship to Baron unknown) regarding the aforesaid six horses and another horse, Better Half.
During the First World War Baron served as a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps, later being promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
During the First World War Baron served as a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps, later being promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
The reasons for the draconian sentences remain unclear, although Baron Mortimer’s warning off was remitted on May 16, 1918. Although his licence was reinstated, rendering him free to resume his profession, he did not ride again, nor did he renew his trainer’s licence.
The reasons for the draconian sentences remain unclear, although Baron Mortimer’s warning off was remitted on May 16, 1918. Although his licence was reinstated, rendering him free to resume his profession, he did not ride again, nor did he renew his trainer’s licence.
Baron Mortimer died in 1959.
Baron Mortimer died in 1959.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Walk Over, Hooton Park, March 18, 1905
1. Walk Over, Hooton Park, March 18, 1905
2. Single-Stick, Nottingham, October 31, 1905
2. Single-Stick, Nottingham, October 31, 1905
3. Purdysburn, Manchester, February 11, 1908
3. Purdysburn, Manchester, February 11, 1908
4. Rolandine, Leicester, March 4, 1908
4. Rolandine, Leicester, March 4, 1908
5. Mandy, Colwall Park, October 5, 1908
5. Mandy, Colwall Park, October 5, 1908
6. Mandy, Nottingham, October 27, 1908
6. Mandy, Nottingham, October 27, 1908
7. Palmerstown, Colwall Park, May 31, 1909
7. Palmerstown, Colwall Park, May 31, 1909
8. Rolandine, Birmingham, November 29, 1909
8. Rolandine, Birmingham, November 29, 1909
9. Mandy, Windsor, January 13, 1910
9. Mandy, Windsor, January 13, 1910
10. Rolandine, Derby, March 7, 1910
10. Rolandine, Derby, March 7, 1910
11. The Baroness, Cheltenham, March 30, 1910
11. The Baroness, Cheltenham, March 30, 1910
12. Charlemagne, Newport, November 10, 1910
12. Charlemagne, Newport, November 10, 1910
13. Rolandine, Manchester, January 24, 1911
13. Rolandine, Manchester, January 24, 1911
14. Reckitt’s Blue, Wolverhampton, April 21, 1911
14. Reckitt’s Blue, Wolverhampton, April 21, 1911
15. Rolandine, Birmingham, November 28, 1911
15. Rolandine, Birmingham, November 28, 1911
March 28 1912
March 28 1912
May 16 1918
May 16 1918